ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION PLANNED AT ARBOR DAY FARM

Nebraska City, Neb., April 12, 1999--The National Arbor Day Foundation is preparing to welcome thousands of guests to Arbor Day Farm for Arbor Day Weekend, May 1 and 2. Visitors to the farm, located just west of Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, can enjoy musical entertainment, tours, environmental games and activities, and a trip through a "Rain Forest Maze."

Celebration hours at Arbor Day Farm are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 1, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 2. Admission is free and open to the public.

"We hope everyone will join us in this fun tradition of celebrating Arbor Day," said Susan Wirth, education coordinator of The National Arbor Day Foundation. "This is a way to have a good time while learning about the spirit of environmental stewardship fostered by Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton."

Wirth adds that the weekend is designed for all ages, with a wide variety of activities. Guests at Arbor Day Farm will have the chance to make eco-crafts, take a trip through a rain forest maze, sample such sustainable rain forest products as shade-grown coffee, and learn about tree identification by traveling through a "Mystery Tree Labyrinth." Other events include a plant sale, mini train rides, face painting, and shuttle tours of Arbor Day Farm to see many of the unique conservation demonstrations in place there. Free seedling trees will also be given away on a first come, first served basis, and tree experts will be on hand to offer tree care advice.

Originally part of J. Sterling Morton's estate, today Arbor Day Farm is a National Historic Landmark owned and operated by The National Arbor Day Foundation. The Farm includes the Historic Morton Barns, Lied Conference Center, the Apple House, orchards, arboretums, trails, agroforestry demonstrations, and a unique fuelwood energy plant and fuelwood plantation.

Additional information on the Arbor Day Weekend Celebration is available by calling Arbor Day Farm at (402) 873-9347.